Houston loses bid to host prestigious World Petroleum Congress

It came down to the wire, but an elite international energy organization has snubbed Houston in its bid to host the triennial World Petroleum Congress in 2017.

Houston lost to Istanbul late Wednesday in a final vote by a delegation of the London-based World Petroleum Council, which had already eliminated competing cities Copenhagen, Denmark, and remote Astana, Kazakhstan.

A Houston victory would have heralded the first time in 30 years that any U.S. city held the conference, which the World Petroleum Council characterizes as the Olympics of the oil and gas industry.

The event is expected to draw some 10,000 high-level executives and government officials from energy-producing countries. Houston hosted the World Petroleum Congress in 1987, the last time the event was in a U.S. city.

Houston narrowly lost to Moscow in a bid to host the 2014 conference.

Despite the loss, Don Hrap, a ConocoPhillips executive and chairman of Houston’s official bid committee, said he is proud of the work Houston’s bid committee put together.

The bid committee, a group of executives from sponsoring oil and gas companies, in its pitch used articles in The New York Times and Forbes that had highlighted Houston as one of the country’s top places to visit this year.

Texas’ congressional delegation on Oct. 15 sent a letter to the London group in support of Houston’s bid, touting the city’s “spacious convention and meeting facilities, world-class hotels, nationally and internationally recognized attractions for attendees to visit and modern transportation hubs.”

In the previous bout for the World Petroleum Congress, several delegates were concerned about their countries’ access to the U.S. Houston lost again, narrowly, despite promises from the U.S. State Department to support the city’s goal to make visas readily available for delegates.

Houston was expected to soak up a $50 million economic impact from the five-day forum in the George R. Brown convention center, which would have been scheduled for September 2017.

Still, some of the city’s industry gatherings dwarf the prestigious World Petroleum Conference, and Houston is home to a sea of oil and gas conferences every year. More than 100,000 people showed up to Houston’s four-day Offshore Technology Conference in May.

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Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (center) cuts a ribbon to mark the beginning of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (center) cuts a ribbon to mark the beginning of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

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An orchestra plays at the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

An orchestra plays at the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

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Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada speaks at the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada speaks at the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

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At the 20th World Petroleum Congress, Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (right) speaks to Randy Gossen, then-vice president of health, safety, environment and social responsibility for Nexen. Gossen also served as president of the World Petroleum Council. less

At the 20th World Petroleum Congress, Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (right) speaks to Randy Gossen, then-vice president of health, safety, environment and social ... more

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People attend the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

People attend the opening ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 4, 2011.

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The ConocoPhillips booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The ConocoPhillips booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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The Rosneft booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The Rosneft booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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The Sonangol booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The Sonangol booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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The Ece Petrol booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The Ece Petrol booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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The Exxon Mobil booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The Exxon Mobil booth is displayed at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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The Cosmo Oil booth is displayed among others at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

The Cosmo Oil booth is displayed among others at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar.

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Rex Tillerson sits on an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Rex Tillerson sits on an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Ivan Sandrea, then-president of Energy Intelligence, speaks during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

Ivan Sandrea, then-president of Energy Intelligence, speaks during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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Nasser Khalil Al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Petroleum International, speaks on a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Nasser Khalil Al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Petroleum International, speaks on a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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People attend the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

People attend the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Musicians perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Musicians perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Dancers perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Dancers perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Musicians perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Musicians perform at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Men weave baskets at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Men weave baskets at the Arabian Night social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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BP executive Alan Haywood speaks during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

BP executive Alan Haywood speaks during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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Nasser Khalil Al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Petroleum International, speaks on a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Nasser Khalil Al-Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Petroleum International, speaks on a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

Attendees listen to an expert panel during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

Photo: World Petroleum Congress

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Youth attend a social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Youth attend a social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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People attend the youth social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

People attend the youth social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Fireworks explode above the youth social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Fireworks explode above the youth social event at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Attendees greet each other at a plenary session during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

Attendees greet each other at a plenary session during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 6, 2011.

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Panelists listen to BP executive Alan Haywood speak during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

Panelists listen to BP executive Alan Haywood speak during a technical session at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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Attendees listen to a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Attendees listen to a panel about peak oil during the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Ali Hassan Al-Sidiky, director of downstream ventures for Qatar Petroleum, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

Ali Hassan Al-Sidiky, director of downstream ventures for Qatar Petroleum, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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David Constable, CEO of Sasol, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

David Constable, CEO of Sasol, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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David Constable, CEO of Sasol, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

David Constable, CEO of Sasol, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha Qatar on December 8, 2011.

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Abdallah Salem el-Badri, secretary general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Abdallah Salem el-Badri, secretary general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar on December 7, 2011.

Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency, speaks at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar on December 7, 2011.

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People attend the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

People attend the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

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People attend the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

People attend the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Photo: World Petroleum Congress

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Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Photo: World Petroleum Congress

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Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Photo: World Petroleum Congress

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Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.

Performers dance at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Petroleum Congress in Doha, Qatar in December 2011.